Town's Retirees Could Lose Life Insurance Policy

FARMINGTON — Virginia Douglass read the letter again and again, convinced there must be a mistake.

The one-page letter from the town said her life insurance policy with the town will be ending.

In fact, as of July 1, Douglass and 14 other retired town employees over 70 years old will lose their group life insurance coverage.

``I was shocked. I thought there must be a mistake,'' said Douglass, who took her concerns to the town council Monday.

Douglass is a retired town policewoman, and at age 78 she is relying on the life insurance money to someday settle her affairs. The age cap took her -- and town council members -- by surprise.

Council members said they first became aware of the change within the past week. It was arrived at by town staff and two employee unions during lengthy contract negotiations. The contracts were settled last month, and employees slated to lose their coverage were notified shortly afterward.

Several members of the council said they are confident the coverage will quickly be restored.

``Our intention is to reinstate this,'' said Councilman William Raymond.

Town Manager Thomas Wontorek said the age cap is basically a money-saving measure for the town. By extending coverage to retirees without limit, the liklihood of a claim being filed increases significantly.

``It's a way to control costs,'' Wontorek said of the cap. In addition, the town agreed to increase its share of the premium payments, from 25 percent to 50 percent for eligible employees.

Former police union president Sgt. Alan Fournier said he was surprised that retired employees, some of whom never belonged to the union, would be affected by the agreement. The union has the authority to negotiate only on behalf of active union members, he said.